Put out the welcome mat

Hundreds of new jobs are being promised for two Sussex resorts in a booming start to the New Year.

B&Q, the do-it-yourself chain, says up to 200 posts will be created if its new store near the Crumbles, Eastbourne, gets planning permission from councillors.

And an international gaming company says another 150 jobs will be created if licensing magistrates approve its application for a casino at Brighton Marina.

It's all good news for a county which has generally suffered from higher than average unemployment, especially in its coastal towns.

What's needed is for the trend to continue by councils welcoming dynamic companies to Sussex and not putting unnecessary obstacles in their way.

These are big, reputable concerns, badly needed in towns with less than their fair share of medium to large national firms.

Andy choice

Andy Durr is to be the new mayor of Brighton and Hove - and he will be holding office in one of the most exciting times in our city by the sea's history.

Coun Durr already has an admirable record in promoting the area and it is largely thanks to his efforts that the stretch between the two piers has been transformed in recent years.

Whatever your politics, the year ahead will be hugely important to Brighton and Hove as we await the result of our bid for city status.

Coun Durr has served on the council for more than 25 years and appears to be a sensible choice. We wish him all the best as we look ahead to the new millennium.

PRAWN free

The eccentric folk of Ashurst Wood near East Grinstead have declared their hamlet an international nation state.

Border controls and customs barriers have been introduced with strangers being told entry visas are available at the post office.

Organisers have formed an organisation called the People's Republic of Ashurst Wood Nation State, or PRAWNS for short.

Sounds very fishy to us.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.